FRED's Quiz:
Ok, here is the promised Pop Quiz. But here are the rules and background info.
There are two birds focused on here. I will try to identify them simply as Bird #1 and Bird #2. They are both ISA Browns, the quintessential layer. Think the CX of the layer birds. These are not dual purpose fowl. They are dedicated purpose fowl. Eggs, eggs and more eggs. They are both 8 months old, all the birds came in a box of 25, hatched on the same day, brooded together and raised together. Always been fed the same feed, in the same environment.
Apologize for my crappy photography and camera quality. It is what it is. While it doesn't come through on the camera well, I can give you this hint. Their feathering quality is vastly different in real life. You'll have to decide which is which and why.
Rules for the Quiz.
1. Only those who've kept backyard birds for less than 3 years are allowed to take the quiz.
2. No one can reply right now. Anyone who replies today, will be DQ'd. No ifs, ands or butts.
3. The window of turning in your Quiz responses will NOT be until this time tomorrow. There will be an open window of 8 hours in which to turn in your Quiz. Anytime tomorrow(NOW TODAY, DEC. 9) is just fine, after 1 pm EST. Noon CST, 11 am MST and 10 am PST. Sure, this is a gimmick, but hey. I want to think about this quiz and not give instant, knee jerk responses. OK?
4. Tell me what you see in comparing these two birds.
5. Tell me if you would cull one, both, neither, and why you think so.
OK, there it is. Is everyone ready for the photos to judge?
Bird # 1
Bird # 1 Bird # 2
Bird #1 Bird # 2
Bird # 2
Bird # 2
Only been keeping chickens a little over a year, all my birds are hatchery stock but I dream of one day having Cornish and WR that look like Al's, and I also love the look of the English Buff Orp's. That said, I'm willing to show my ignorance.
#2 has a larger, brighter red comb & wattles so is probably laying, whereas #1 may not be. I also think #1 is younger because of the bright smooth color of the legs (even though I KNOW you said they're hatchmates!). Bird #2 looks to have somewhat of a pinched tail, and the feathers just look harsh and kinda sparse, while #1 looks smooth and fully-feathered. I have 6 of these production reds myself... my birds look somewhere between those two but the feathering (tight) tends to ;look more like #2... #2 is kinda gangley and #1 looks more "fluffy". My birds are in their first molt right now but two of them are still laying jumbo eggs nearly every day (sometimes the size of turkey eggs).